N295SCHelio H-295 · 1973

On June 20, 2012, about 1420 Alaska daylight time, a Helio Courier H-295 airplane, N295SC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a concrete barrier while attempting to takeoff from the Happy Valley Airport, Happy Valley, Alaska. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured, and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Jago River Holdings LLC., and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight to Fairbanks, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in charge (IIC) on July 6, the pilot said due to the strong westerly wind, she attempted to takeoff on the east/west taxiway instead of using the north/south runway. Before departure she paced off her intended takeoff path, and determined she had a 1,200 foot long by 200 foot wide gravel surface that was free of obstructions, with another 400 feet of gravel road extending beyond her intended takeoff point. During the takeoff roll the pilot felt weight shift off the main wheels, but the tail did not come up, she was not sure if the airplane became airborne. She aborted the takeoff, and applied the brakes, but the airplane drifted left of her intended takeoff path, towards a concrete loading ramp. Just prior to impact she released the left brake and attempted to ground loop the airplane. The airplane turned right, and struck the concrete loading ramp, just aft of the pilot seat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and stabilator.

The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Pictures taken at the scene by first responders, immediately following the accident, indicate the flaps were in the up position. The pilot said the aircraft was not reconfigured after the accident.

On May 16, 2009, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel ski-equipped Helio H-295 airplane, N295SC, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on snow-covered glacial terrain, about 56 miles south of Kaktovic, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Flyers, Fairbanks, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, about 0830.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 18, the pilot reported that she was landing at the 6,200 foot level of the McCall Glacier, which was surrounded by mountainous terrain. She said that during the approach she encountered a downdraft as the airplane passed by a ridge line, and the airplane began to descend below her anticipated approach path. She added full engine power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend, and it landed hard about 200 feet short of her intended touchdown point. During touchdown, the airplane’s right main landing gear axle broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage.

The pilot characterized wind conditions on the surface of the glacier as light and variable, but reported encountering stronger winds during the approach.

In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, she indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. She also noted that following this accident, during subsequent approaches to the same site, she altered her landing approach to minimize the exposure to downdrafts in the area, and increased the approach altitude, which would allow for a go-around if required.